I have watched a lot of things change at Delta Institute since I first joined in 2004. We’ve changed offices a couple of times. We’ve even changed our logo a couple of times – I collect the business cards to prove it!
And while I’ve been honored to have my business card change from reading “Programs Associate” back in 2004 to today’s “CEO” nearly two decades later, in my heart I still feel the same passion and excitement I have always felt. Every day, I wake up excited to go into the office. That is something that has not changed.
I continue feeling honored to learn from – and collaborate with – each of the hundreds of team members, partners, volunteers, and supporters who have brought Delta to where we are today: now celebrating our 25th anniversary!
A photo from my earliest years at Delta Institute!
My excitement to start each new day at Delta remains steadfast even though this work is challenging. Even though we’re still working on the same fundamental systemic issues since I first joined Delta, the severity and urgency of the climate-related threats have changed. So many of our partners routinely tell us about how the climate crisis is impacting their communities:
- Water inequity that creates unfair hardships for communities to access affordable and safe drinking water;
- Income disparity in environmental justice communities facing rising threats from industrial pollution and subsequent private sector investment; and, in agricultural communities who are seeing shrinking profit margins on their crops; or
- Deforestation in Northwest Indiana has led to increased flooding – only exacerbated by the fact that severe rainfall events occur much more frequently in our region.
That’s why – in the year ahead – all of us at Delta Institute are working toward addressing these goals through several projects, such as the following:
Delta Institute was founded 25 years ago to enact positive change – the word “Delta” literally means “Change.” Please join us this year in investing in the change we seek to implement in the year ahead.
If you are hoping to make a positive impact toward addressing climate issues before the end of 2023, I hope you will support Delta Institute to help us reach our 2024 goals. This year, Delta Institute earned both a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid and a Four-Star “Give with Confidence” rating from Charity Navigator – recognitions received by fewer than 1% of all 1.5 million registered nonprofits!
In honor of the impact we’ve collectively made over the past 25 years, and in support of the work ahead, please join me in supporting Delta Institute with a tax-deductible contribution today.
With gratitude,
Bill Schleizer
CEO